Category: Gospel and Culture

Monastic Practices for Modern Christians

Posted on May 7, 2008

Over the years I have found personal retreat from they regular place and patterns of life critical for my spiritually sanity. Some of my sweetest retreats were when I lived in Boston, where I would retreat to Emery House, a modern monastary of the order of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. (Thanks to Steve Macchia for turning me onto Emery House!) These Episcopal brothers have taken vows of poverty, service, and silence, offering their housing and acreage for personal retreats. I will never forget some of the soul-renewing times spent there.

Now that I am in Austin, Texas I have been looking for a new location for retreat…and may have found it at Laity Lodge. LL specializes in retreats, offering a whole range of them, from educational to recreational. They have recently hosted speakers such as N.T. Wright, Marva Dawn, and Gordon Macdonald. I am hoping to win a contest so that I can check out LL firsthand.

Burma Catastrophe

Posted on May 5, 2008

The peoples of Burma continue to suffer. This time it is not from the hand of the oppressive junta, but as a result of a massive cyclone that has killed upwards of 10,000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. Some consider Burma one of the most dangerous places to visit. Now add to the list one of the most devastated.

Since my trip to Burma back in 2002, my heart has been burdened for the Burmese and its many people groups, including my work among the Shan-Dai. Pray for Burma. Serve Burma. Give to Burma. Go to Burma. Contact World Vision, World Relief or UN. And if you are in Austin, Burma has come to you. We have several hundred Burmese refugees living in our city. If you want to provide for them, contact Caritas.

Too Much Information?

Posted on May 2, 2008

Ben Bartlett over at Christ and Pop culture has pleasantly summarized an article by Frank Bures called “Way, Way Too Much Information.” The thesis of his article is that writing and creativity is stifled by our gluttonous intake of information. In the frenetic click till you stick pace of online reading, we frequently abandon slow, creative, careful reflection. How can we get on a better diet, one that promotes creative health in all spheres of life?

McGrath's New Natural Theology

Posted on May 1, 2008

Alistar McGrath has just released a new book on Natural Theology called The Open Secret. With a Ph.D in molecular physics and theology, McGrath has the credentials to rework traditional approaches in natural theology. A description from McGrath’s site:

The books attempts to set out an intellectually rigorous vision for a renewed natural theology as a point of convergence bewteen the Christian faith, the arts and literature, and the natural sciences. Natural theology is about seeing nature from a Christian perspective, and hence discerning its truth, beauty and goodness. Further details from here.